BATAVIA, OHIO — Cincinnati Milacron Inc. has expanded its line of two-platen injection presses to include machines in smaller tonnage sizes.
Now, Milacron needs to sell their value to a marketplace more accustomed to larger-tonnage two-platen machines, said national sales manager Tony Lutarewych of Milacron's Plastics Technologies Group in Batavia.
Typical two-platen designs, which replace presses with three platens, are targeted for larger-press users wanting to conserve plant space and to shorten cycle times, Lutarewych said.
But smaller two-platen machines also offer advantages in increased performance and reduced maintenance, said Michael Sargent, product manager for Milacron's injection machine business. Milacron's Maxima two-platen presses cut clamp speed in half and reduce tonnage build time by 80 percent compared to conventional hydraulic presses, Sargent said.
``Someday, we think a lot of conventional hydraulic presses will move to two platens,'' Lutarewych said. ``There's no reason not to.''
The company has just introduced new two-platen machines with clamping forces of 1,500, 1,100 and 850 tons. Other Maxima presses are available as large as 4,000 tons.
While not the first two-platen presses on the market, Milacron's Maxima machines feature an unusual, pancake-shaped ram. Depending on the tonnage, the pancake ram can be mounted on either the stationary platen or the moving platen.
The company is considering using two-platen presses for its Elektra line of all-electric injection presses, said Milacron group vice president Harold Faig.
Milacron demonstrated its Maxima machines during a July 7 open house at its Batavia press assembly plant.
